College Assistant Professor Denied Tenure, So He Goes on a Hunger Strike

Clearly the denial of tenure is justified when you see this clown acting like a baby. For most of us in the real world who don’t enjoy the cushy privileges of tenure and lifetime employment, we just can’t muster up enough energy to throw this guy a pity party.

A Lafayette College professor has initiated a hunger strike after he was denied tenure.

Juan J. Rojo, an assistant professor of Spanish at the Easton institution, announced his plan to the faculty Tuesday. He said that faculty committees supported his bid for tenure, but that he was denied by college President Alison Byerly.

“I have long ago come to terms with the notion that life is not fair. This process, however, is not about fairness. It is about right and wrong. It’s about what is just and what role we as faculty play in our own governance,” Rojo said in his statement to the faculty.

“I am fully aware that this course of action may well limit other academic employment opportunities for me,” he continued. “But I cannot stand here and accept this decision that is contrary to the principles of self-governance on which this college and this faculty are founded.”

The college issued a response in which it declined to comment on the specifics of the personnel matter, but said all appropriate procedures were followed.

“We respect Professor Rojo’s right to disagree with the decision,” the college said, “but hope he will express his views in a way that does not endanger his health.”

Rojo, a 41-year-old father of two from Hellertown, began the hunger strike Tuesday afternoon.

“So far, so good,” Rojo, reached in his office on the second day of the strike, toldlehighvalleylive.com. He said he is consuming only water and Gatorade, and plans to continue “until the issue is resolved.”

“It really is a matter of will power,” he said, adding that pursuing legal recourse against the college was not a realistic option for him. “I just don’t have the resources to stand up to an institution like Lafayette College in this regard.”